LAUSR

INTRODUCTION Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) typically emerges during adolescence, affects approximately 2% of the general population and is highly impairing. Despite its prevalence and impact, awareness of BDD remains poor and the condition often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Cognitive– behavioural therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective treatments for BDD and recommended as the firstline interventions. However, little is known about the accessibility of these treatments within the UK or among young people specifically. We conducted a case note review to examine the treatment histories of young people referred to a tertiary care outpatient clinic for BDD and obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) in the UK. We hypothesised that: (a) contrary to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, a substantial proportion of those with BDD would not have accessed firstline treatment prior to referral to the specialist clinic; (b) fewer patients with BDD would have accessed firstline treatments compared with patients with OCD, despite similar prevalence and morbidity of the two conditions.